Solid state image pickup device and camera

ABSTRACT

An solid state image pickup device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions (PD 1,  PD 2 ) for generating carriers by photoelectric conversions to accumulate the generated carriers, an amplifying unit for amplifying the carriers, being commonly provided to at least two photoelectric conversion regions, a first and a second transfer units (Tx-MOS 1,  Tx-MOS 2 ) for transferring the carriers accumulated in the first and the second photoelectric conversion regions, respectively, a first and a second carrier accumulating units (Cs 1,  Cs 2 ) for accumulating the carriers flowing out from the first and the second photoelectric conversion regions through a first and a second fixed potential barriers, respectively, and a third and a fourth transfer units (Cs-MOS 1,  Cs-MOS 2 ) for transferring the carriers accumulated in the first and the second carrier accumulating units to the amplifying unit, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a solid state image pickupdevice and a camera, and more particularly to a solid state image pickupdevice the dynamic range of which is expanded.

2. Description of Related Art

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a solid state image pickup devicedisclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 (Shigetoshi Sugawa et al. (fivepersons), “A 100 dB Dynamic Range CMOS Image Sensor Using a LateralOverflow Integration Capacitor”, ISSCC 2005/SESSION 19/IMAGERS/19.4,DIGEST OF TECHNICAL PAPERS, 2005 IEEE International Solid-State CircuitConference, Feb. 8, 2005, pp. 352-353, 603.) FIG. 8 is a timing chartshowing the operation of the solid state image pickup device.Hereinafter, an n-channel MOS field effect transistor is simply referredto as a transistor. FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E and 9F are conceptualdiagrams for illustrating the potential in a series of operations of thesolid state image pickup device and the flows of carriers.

First, as shown in FIG. 9A, at timing t2, a transistor M3 is turned on,and noises N2 after a reset are accumulated in a floating diffusion FDand an additional capacity CS. Then, the noises N2 are read.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, at timing t3, light is radiated onto aphotodiode PD, and carriers are accumulated in the photodiode PD. Afterthe accumulated carriers of the photodiode PD have filled the photodiodePD, the carriers overflowed from the photodiode PD flow into thefloating diffusion FD and the additional capacity CS.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, after the carrier accumulation ends, attiming t4, the transistor M3 is turned off, and the carriers aredistributed to the floating diffusion FD and the additional capacity CSat a predetermined rate. A pixel signal S2 and noises N2′ areaccumulated in the additional capacity CS. A pixel signal S1 isaccumulated in the photodiode PD.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9D, the floating diffusion FD is reset at timingt5. Only noises N1 remain in the floating diffusion FD. After that, thenoises N1 are read from the floating diffusion FD.

Next, in FIG. 9E, a transistor M1 is turned on, and the carriers of thepixel signal S1 in the photodiode PD are transferred to the floatingdiffusion FD. In the floating diffusion FD, the noises N1 and the pixelsignal S1 are accumulated.

Next, in FIG. 9F, the transistor M3 is turned on. The carriers of thepixel signals S1 and S2, and the noises N1 and N2′ are accumulated inthe floating diffusion FD and the additional capacity CS, and thecarriers are read.

Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-186414(corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,195) and Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2004-335802 disclose solid state image pickupdevices for expanding dynamic ranges.

The circuit shown in FIG. 7 is a circuit for one pixel, and it isdifficult to use the transistors M2, M4 and M5 commonly to a pluralityof pixels in order to decrease the number of the transistors. In thecircuit of FIG. 7, the carriers overflowed from the photodiode PD flowinto the additional capacity CS through the floating diffusion FD.Consequently, if it is tried to share the transistors M2, M4 and M5, thefloating diffusion FD of a plurality of pixels is mutually connected,and the pixel signal of the plurality of pixels is mixed with eachother. Hence, it becomes impossible to read the signal of each pixel.Consequently, it is impossible to share the transistors M2, M4 and M5 todecrease the number of the transistors.

Moreover, because the carriers overflowed from the photodiode PD flowinto the additional capacity CS through the floating diffusion FD,noises are easily generated due to the influence of the defects(damages) of the floating diffusion FD. The floating diffusion FD hasmany defects as compared with the photodiode PD. Consequently, in thefloating diffusion FD, the accumulated carriers disappear owing to thedefects, and great fixed pattern noises occur.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid state imagepickup device and a camera that can decrease the number of circuitelements and generate pixel signals with fewer noises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A solid state image pickup device of the present invention includes aplurality of photoelectric conversion regions for generating carriers byphotoelectric conversions and accumulating the generated carriers; anamplifying unit for amplifying the carriers, the amplifying unit beingcommonly provided for at least two of the photoelectric conversionregions; a first transfer unit for transferring the carriers accumulatedin the first photoelectric conversion region to the amplifying unit; afirst carrier accumulating unit for accumulating carriers flowing outfrom the first photoelectric conversion region through a first fixedpotential barrier; a second transfer unit for transferring the carriersaccumulated in the first carrier accumulating unit to the amplifyingunit; a third transfer unit for transferring the carriers accumulated inthe second photoelectric conversion region to the amplifying unit; asecond carrier accumulating unit for accumulating the carriers flowingout from the second photoelectric conversion region through a secondfixed potential barrier; and a fourth transfer unit for transferring thecarriers accumulated in the second carrier accumulating unit to theamplifying unit.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a layout chart showing an example of the whole configurationof a solid state image pickup device according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the solid state image pickupdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a potential diagram of the cross sections along lines O-A, O-Band O-C in FIG. 1 during a carrier accumulating period;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of thecircuit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a stillvideo camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a videocamera according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a solid state image pickup device;

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the operation of the solid state imagepickup device of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E and 9F are figures for illustrating theoperation of the solid state image pickup device shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a solid state imagepickup device using one amplifying unit shared by four photodiodes.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a layout chart showing an example of the whole configurationof a solid state image pickup device according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram ofthe solid state image pickup device of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, the hatches drawn in the regions of photodiodes PD1 and PD2,and the like denote semiconductor regions (active regions) ACT. Thehatches drawn in the regions of additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2, andthe like denote polysilicon POL. The hatches drawn in the regions inwiring 401 and the like denote aluminum wiring AL. The hatches drawn inthe regions in the portions connecting the wiring 401 with thesemiconductor regions ACT and the like denote contact portions CNT.

The configuration of FIG. 2 is described. First, a first pixel structureis described. A photodiode (a first photoelectric conversion region) PD1generates carriers by photoelectric conversions, and accumulates thegenerated carriers. A transfer transistor (a first transfer unit)Tx-MOS1 is a transfer gate for transferring the carriers accumulated inthe photodiode PD1 to a source follower transistor SF-MOS. Theadditional capacity (a first carrier accumulating unit) Cs1 is a carrieraccumulating unit for accumulating the carriers overflowing thephotodiode PD1 through a first fixed potential barrier 101. A transfertransistor (a second transfer unit) Cs-MOS1 is a transfer gate fortransferring the carriers accumulated in the additional capacitor Cs1 tothe source follower transistor SF-MOS. The transistor Tx-MOS1 includes agate connected to potential φtx1, a source connected to the cathode ofthe photodiode PD1, and a drain connected to the gate of the transistorSF-MOS. The drain of the transistor Tx-MOS1 corresponds to the floatingdiffusion FD, and can accumulate carriers. The anode of the photodiodePD1 is connected to the ground GND. The transistor Cs-MOS1 has a gatecontrolled by φcs1, a source connected to the electrode of one end ofthe additional capacitor Cs1, and a drain connected to the gate of thetransistor SF-MOS. The electrode on the other end of the additionalcapacitor Cs1 is connected to the ground GND.

Next, a second pixel structure is described. A photodiode (a secondphotoelectric conversion region) PD2 generates carriers by photoelectricconversions, and accumulates the generated carriers. A transfertransistor (a third transfer unit) Tx-MOS2 is a transfer gate fortransferring the carriers accumulated in the photodiode PD2 to a sourcefollower transistor SF-MOS. The additional capacitor (a second carrieraccumulating unit) Cs2 is a carrier accumulating unit for accumulatingthe carriers overflowing the photodiode PD2 through a second fixedpotential barrier 102. A transfer transistor (a fourth transfer unit)Cs-MOS2 is a transfer gate for transferring the carrier accumulated inthe additional capacitor Cs2 to the source follower transistor SF-MOS.The transistor Tx-MOS2 includes a gate controlled by φtx2, a sourceconnected to the cathode of the photodiode PD2, and a drain connected tothe gate of the transistor SF-MOS. The drain of the transistor Tx-MOS2corresponds to the floating diffusion FD, and can accumulate carriers.The anode of the photodiode PD2 is connected to the ground GND. Thetransistor Cs-MOS2 has a gate controlled by φcs2, a source connected tothe electrode on one end of the additional capacitor Cs2, and a drainconnected to the gate of the transistor SF-MOS. The electrode on theother end of the additional capacitor Cs2 is connected to the groundGND. A pixel unit is composed of the photoelectric conversion regions,each transferring transistor and each carrier accumulating unit in thefirst and the second pixel structures. A plurality of pixel units likethis is arranged.

The floating diffusions FD of the transistors Tx-MOS1 and Tx-MOS2 aremutually connected with wiring. In the source follower transistor(amplifying unit) SF-MOS, the drain thereof is connected to the powersupply potential VDD, and the source thereof is connected to the drainof the transistor SEL-MOS to output the carriers supplied to the gateafter amplifying the carriers. The gate of the selection transistorSEL-MOS is controlled by φsel, and the source of the transistor SEL-MOSis connected with the signal wiring 401. In a reset transistor (resetunit) RES-MOS, the gate thereof is controlled by φres; the sourcethereof is connected with the floating diffusion FD; and the drainthereof is connected to the power supply potential VDD. A current source402 is connected between the signal wiring 401 and the ground GND.

In the solid state image pickup device, a plurality of pixels istwo-dimensionally arranged. In FIG. 2, only two pixels of the first andthe second pixels are shown as an example. The additional capacities Cs1and Cs2 adjoin the photodiodes PD1 and PD2, respectively. The firstpixel (composed of the photodiode PD1 and the additional capacitor Cs1)shows, for example, a pixel in an odd line. The second pixel (composedof the photodiode PD2 and the additional capacitor Cs2) shows, forexample, a pixel of an even line. That is, the first pixel and thesecond pixel are arranged in every two lines in order. Because thetransistors SF-MOS, SEL-MOS and RES-MOS are commonly used for twopixels, the number of elements to be used can be reduced, and theaperture ratio of the photoelectric conversion region can be improved.The present embodiment two-dimensionally arranges many pixels in the wayof using two pixels as one unit.

FIG. 3 is a potential diagram of cross sections along lines O-A, O-B andO-C in FIG. 1 during the carrier accumulation period (timing T2-T3 ofFIG. 4).

The potential barrier a shown by the 0-A line indicates the heights ofthe fixed potential barriers in the fixed potential barrier regions 101and 102. The region 101 is a region between the photodiode PD1 and theadditional capacitor Cs1. The region 102 is a region between thephotodiode PD2 and the additional capacitor Cs2. The regions 101 and 102are formed as the regions in which semiconductor impurity concentrationdifferences differ to the surroundings. A point O shows the heights ofthe potential barriers of the photodiodes PD1 and PD2. A point A showsthe heights of the potential barriers of the additional capacities Cs1and Cs2.

The potential barrier b shown by the O-B line indicates the heights ofthe potential barriers under the transfer gates between the photodiodesPD1 and PD2 and the floating diffusions FD. That is, the potentialbarrier b indicates the heights of the potential barriers of the channelregions of the transfer transistors Tx-MOS1 and Tx-MOS2. A point Bindicates the heights of the potential barriers in the floatingdiffusions FD.

The potential barrier c shown by the O-C line indicates the height ofthe element separation barrier between the photodiode PD1 or PD2 in acertain pixel and another pixel adjoining the former pixel. The regionforming the potential barrier c of this portion needs a higher potentialbarrier as compared with the potential barriers a and b. The leaking ofthe carriers into the adjoining pixel region can be suppressed byforming the higher potential barrier.

The potential barrier c is higher than the potential barriers a and b.The potential barrier a is lower than the potential barrier b. Thereby,when the accumulated carriers of the photodiodes PD1 and PD2 have filledthe photodiodes PD1 and PD2, the overflowing carriers flow into theadditional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 not through the potential barrier b ofthe transfer transistors Tx-MOS1 and Tx-MOS2 but through the potentialbarrier a of the regions 101 and 102 where the potential barrier is thelowest.

The photodiodes PD1 and PD2 are n type regions. Each of the elementseparation regions of the potential barrier c, the regions of thepotential barrier b, and the regions 101 and 102 of the potentialbarrier a is a p type region, and the effective career concentration inan accumulation period is preferably to be a<b<c. The heights of thepotential barriers a, b and c are controlled by the adjustment of thesemiconductor impurity concentrations and by the potential during theaccumulation periods of the gate voltages φtx1 and φtx2 controlling thepotential barrier b.

By making the potential barriers be in the relation of a<b<c, a stillfurther advantage is produced. That is, when stronger light exceedingthe strong light making the photodiodes PD1 and PD2 overflow and makingthe overflowed carriers flow into the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2is radiated, or when the strong light is radiated for a long time to beaccumulated, the case where carriers flow into the additional capacitiesCs1 and Cs2 to overflow the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 isassumable. In this case, in the relation of a<b=c, or a<c<b, thecarriers flow into the adjoining pixel to cause color mixing, and theimage quality is remarkably deteriorated. Accordingly, when thepotential barriers are formed so as to be in the relation of a<b<c, thecarriers that have overflowed the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 flowout to the floating diffusions FD reset near to the voltage VDD duringthe accumulation period, and the excessive carriers can be rapidlythrown away. Consequently, no color mixing is generated, and an imagehaving a high image quality can be obtained.

The amounts of the carriers that the photodiodes PD1 and PD2 canaccumulate are determined. Consequently, when strong light is radiatedonto the photodiodes PD1 and PD2, carriers overflow the photodiodes PD1and PD2. The carriers that have overflowed the photodiodes PD1 and PD2flow into the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2.

The carriers that have overflowed the photodiodes PD1 and PD2 severallyflow into the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 through the lowestpotential barrier a. It is necessary to prevent the carriers fromflowing into the floating diffusions FD through the transfer transistorsTx-MOS1 and Tx-MOS2 during the carrier accumulation period. The reasonis that, because the floating diffusions FD are in the reset state, thecarriers that have flowed into the floating diffusions FD through thetransfer transistors Tx-MOS1 and Tx-MOS2 are rapidly thrown away by thereset.

The feature of the present embodiment mentioned above differs from thatof the solid state image pickup device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In thesolid state image pickup device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the carriersthat have overflowed from the photodiode PD are accumulated in thefloating diffusion FD and the additional capacitor CS through thetransfer transistor M1. Consequently, in the floating diffusion FD, inwhich many defects exist as compared with the photodiode PD, theaccumulated carriers disappear owing to the defects, and great fixedpattern noises are generated.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the carriers can be madeto flow into the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 directly from thephotodiodes PD1 and PD2 without passing the transfer transistors Tx-MOS1and Tx-MOS2 and the floating diffusions FD, respectively. Consequently,no disappearance of the carriers caused by the defects of the floatingdiffusions FD is generated during the carrier accumulating period, andthe solid state image pickup device with less fixed pattern noises canbe obtained.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of thecircuit shown in FIG. 2. The high level of the row labeled as MECHANICALSHUTTER denotes the opened state of a mechanical shutter 53 (see FIG.5), and the lower level of the row denotes the closed state of themechanical shutter 53. The mark φres denotes the potential forcontrolling the gate of the reset transistor RES-MOS; the mark φtx1denotes the potential for controlling the gate of the transfertransistor Tx-MOS1; and the mark φtx2 denotes the potential forcontrolling the gate of the transfer transistor Tx-MOS2. A mark φseldenotes the potential for controlling the gate of the selectiontransistor SEL-MOS. A mark φcs1 denotes the potential for controllingthe gate of the transfer transistor Cs-MOS1. A mark φcs2 denotes thepotential for controlling the gate of the transfer transistor Cs-MOS2. Amark φCtn1 denotes the potential for controlling the gate of atransistor 413. A mark φCts1 denotes the potential for controlling thegate of a transistor 411. A mark φCts2 denotes the potential forcontrolling the gate of a transistor 412. A mark φCtn2 denotes thepotential for controlling the gate of a transistor 414.

Before timing T1, the mechanical shutter 53 is closed. Each φres, φtx1,φtx2, φcs1 and φcs2 takes a high level, and each φse1, φctn1, φcts1,φcts2 and φctn2 takes a low level. The reset transistor RES-MOS, thetransfer transistors Tx-MOS1, Tx-MOS2, Cs-MOS1 and Cs-MOS2 are turnedon. Thereby, the power supply potential VDD is supplied to the floatingdiffusions FD, the photodiodes PD1 and PD2, and the additionalcapacities Cs1 and Cs2, and their accumulated carriers are reset to thepower supply potential VDD.

Next, at the timing T1, φtx1, φtx2, φcs1 and φcs2 is made to be the lowlevel. Then, the transfer transistors Tx-MOS1, Tx-MOS2, Cs-MOS1 andCs-MOS2 are turned off, and the photodiodes PD1 and PD2 and theadditional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 are made to be possible to accumulatecarriers.

Next, at timing T2, the mechanical shutter 53 is opened. Light isradiated onto the photodiodes PD1 and PD2, and the photodiodes PD1 andPD2 start to generate and accumulate negative carriers. When stronglight is radiated on the photodiodes PD1 and PD2, the photodiodes PD1and PD2 are saturated, and the negative carriers flow from thephotodiodes PD1 and PD2 into the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2. Theadditional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 accumulate the overflowed carriers.The carriers that have overflowed before the saturation of thephotodiodes may be accumulated.

Next, at timing T3, the mechanical shutter 53 is closed. The photodiodesPD1 and PD2 are shielded from light, and the generation of the carriersby the photodiodes PD1 and PD2 ends. Consequently, the carrieraccumulating period is a period from the timing T2 to the timing T3.

Next, at timing T4, φres is made to be the low level, and φsel is madeto be the high level. The reset transistor RES-MOS is turned off, andthe selection transistor SEL-MOS is turned on to make the signal wiring401 an active state. The source follower transistor SF-MOS constitutes asource follower amplifier, and outputs an output voltage to the signalwiring 401 according to the potential of the floating diffusions FD. Atthis time, the noise carriers after the reset are accumulated in thefloating diffusions FD.

Next, at timing T5, a positive pulse is applied as φctn1. The transistor413 is turned on, and the potential of the signal wiring 401 accordingto the floating diffusions FD is accumulated in a capacity Ctn1. Thepotential corresponds to the noise carriers of the floating diffusionsFD.

Next, at timing T6, φtx1 is made to be the high level, and a positivepulse is applied as φcts1. The transfer transistor Tx-MOS1 is turned on,and the accumulated carriers of the photodiode PD1 are transferred tothe floating diffusions FD. The source follower transistor SF-MOSoutputs an output voltage to the signal wiring 401 according to thepotential of the floating diffusions FD. The pixel signal carriers ofthe photodiode PD1 are accumulated in the floating diffusions FD. Afterthat, the transistor 411 is turned on, and the potential of the signalwiring 401 according to the potential of the floating diffusions FD isaccumulated in a capacity Cts1. The potential corresponds to the pixelsignal carriers of the photodiode PD1. After that, φtx1 is returned tothe low level.

Next, at timing T7, the potential φcs1 is made to be the high level, anda positive pulse is applied as φcts2. The transfer transistor Cs-MOS1 isturned on, and the accumulated carriers in the additional capacitor Cs1are transferred to the floating diffusions FD. The source followertransistor SF-MOS outputs an output voltage to the signal wiring 401according to the potential of the floating diffusions FD. The pixelsignal carriers of the additional capacitor Cs1 are accumulated in thefloating diffusions FD. The transistor 412 is turned on, and thepotential of the signal wiring 401 according to the potential of thefloating diffusions FD is accumulated in a capacity Cts2. The potentialcorresponds to the pixel signal carriers of the additional capacitorCs1.

Next, at timing T8, a positive pulse is applied as φres. The resettransistor RES-MOS is turned on, and the floating diffusions FD and theadditional capacitor Cs1 are reset to the power supply potential VDD.The noises after the reset of the floating diffusions FD and theadditional capacitor Cs1 are accumulated in the floating diffusions FD.The source follower transistor SF-MOS outputs an output voltage to thesignal wiring 401 according to the potential of the floating diffusionsFD. The noise carriers of the floating diffusions FD and the additionalcapacitor Cs1 are accumulated in the floating diffusions FD.

Next, at timing T9, a positive pulse is applied as φctn2. The transistor414 is turned on, and the potential of the signal wiring 401 accordingto the potential of the floating diffusions FD is accumulated in acapacity Ctn2. The potential corresponds to the noise carriers of thefloating diffusions FD and the additional capacitor Cs1.

By the processing described above, the pixel signal of the photodiodePD1 is accumulated in the capacity Cts1, and the noises of the floatingdiffusions FD are accumulated in the capacity Ctn1. The pixel signal ofthe additional capacitor Cs1 is accumulated in the capacity Cts2, andthe noises of the floating diffusions FD and the additional capacitorCs1 are accumulated in the capacity Ctn2.

Moreover, in the drives of the transistors Cs-MOS1 and Cs-MOS2 by φCs1and φCs2, respectively, in the present embodiment, the transistorsCs-MOS1 and Cs-MOS2 may be opened only once by φCs1 and φCs2,respectively, during a horizontal blanking period (e.g. the period oftiming T11-T18 in FIG. 4) after all of the additional capacities Cs1 andCs2 are simultaneously closed at the timing T1 for starting theaccumulation of the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2.

On the other hand, in the prior art disclosed in FIG. 8, φS is requiredto perform the operations of closing the additional capacitor Cs onceduring a horizontal blanking period with the transistor M3, and ofopening the additional capacitor Cs again. The reason of the necessityis that the transistor M3 must be opened during the accumulation periodbecause the carriers in FIG. 7 pass the floating diffusion FD.Accordingly, for reading the carriers of the photodiode PD in advance,the operation of closing the transistor M3 becomes indispensable. On theother hand, in the present embodiment, the carriers accumulated in theadditional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 directly flow from the photodiodes PD1and PD2 into the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2.

When the opening and closing operations of this kind are frequentlyperformed, there is also caused a problem in which the horizontalblanking time becomes longer and the number of images that can be readfor a certain period decreases. In the present embodiment, as describedabove, because the operations of the transistors Cs-MOS1 and Cs-MOS2 byφfcs1 and φfcs2 do not need much times, the horizontal blanking time canbe shortened, and more images can be read for a certain time.

Next, in FIG. 2, the operation of a pixel signal generating unit isdescribed. A differential amplifier 421 outputs a voltage having theamplitude obtained by subtracting a nose voltage of the capacity Ctn1from the pixel signal voltage of the capacity Cts1. A differentialamplifier 422 outputs a voltage having the amplitude obtained bysubtracting the noise voltage of the capacity Ctn2 from the pixel signalvoltage of the capacity Cts2. An amplifier 423 amplifies the outputsignal of the differential amplifier 421. An amplifier 424 amplifies theoutput signal of the differential amplifier 422.

An adder 425 adds the output signals of the amplifiers 423 and 424 witheach other to output a pixel signal. Because the pixel signal isgenerated based on the accumulated carriers of the photodiode PD1 andthe carriers that have overflowed into the additional capacitor Cs1, thedynamic range of a pixel signal can be expanded more than that in thecase of using only the accumulated carriers in the photodiode PD.

An amplifier 426 amplifies the output signal of the adder 425 accordingto the ISO sensitivity, and outputs the amplified signal. When the valueof the ISO sensitivity is small, the amplification degree of theamplifier 426 is small. When the value of the ISO sensitivity is large,the amplification degree is large.

In FIG. 4, the timing T4-T10 concerns a reading period of the firstpixel (the photodiode PD1 and the additional capacitor Cs1). TimingT10-T11 concerns a period for transferring the signal of the first pixelin the horizontal direction.

Next, at timing T11-T18, the reading of the second pixel is performedlike at the timing T4-T10 described above.

At the timing T12, a positive pulse is applied as φres. The resettransistor RES-MOS is turned on, and the floating diffusions FD arereset to the power supply potential VDD.

Next, at the timing T13, a positive pulse is applied as φctn1. Thetransistor 413 is turned on, and the potential of the signal wiring 401according to the potential of the floating diffusions FD is accumulatedin the capacity Ctn1. The potential corresponds to the noise carriers ofthe floating diffusions FD.

Next, at the timing T14, φtx2 is made to be the high level, and apositive pulse is applied as φcts1. The transfer transistor Tx-MOS2 isturned on, and the accumulated carriers in the photodiode PD2 aretransferred to the floating diffusions FD. After that, the transistor411 is tuned on, and the potential of the signal wiring 401 according tothe potential of the floating diffusions FD is accumulated in thecapacity Cts1. The potential corresponds to the pixel signal carriers ofthe photodiode PD2. After that, φtx2 is returned to the low level.

Next, at the timing T15, φcs2 is made to be the high level, and apositive pulse is applied as φcts2. The transfer transistor Cs-MOS2 isturned on, and the accumulated carriers of the additional capacitor Cs2are transferred to the floating diffusions FD. After that, thetransistor 412 is turned on, and the potential of the signal wiring 401according to the potential of the floating diffusions FD is accumulatedin the capacity Cts2. The potential corresponds to the pixel signalcarriers of the additional capacitor Cs2.

Next, at the timing T16, a positive pulse is applied as φres. The resettransistor RES-MOS is turned on, and the floating diffusions FD and theadditional capacitor Cs2 are reset to the power supply potential VDD.The noises after the reset of the floating diffusions FD and theadditional capacitor Cs2 are accumulated in the floating diffusions FD.

Next, at the timing T17, a positive pulse is applied as φctn2. Thetransistor 414 is turned on, and the potential of the signal wiring 401according to the potential of the floating diffusions FD is accumulatedin the capacity Ctn2. The potential corresponds to the noise carriers ofthe floating diffusions FD and the additional capacitor Cs2.

By the processing mentioned above, the pixel signal of the photodiodePD2 is accumulated in the capacity Cts1, and the noises of the floatingdiffusions FD are accumulated in the capacity Ctn1. The pixel signal ofthe additional capacitor Cs2 is accumulated in the capacity Cts2, andthe noises of the floating diffusions FD and the additional capacitorCs2 are accumulated in the capacity Ctn2.

After that, like the above, the differential amplifiers 421 and 422, theamplifiers 423, 424 and 426, and the adder 425 operate to generate thesignal of the second pixel. That is, the signal of the second pixel isgenerated based on the pixel signal accumulated in the photodiode PD2and the additional capacitor Cs2. In FIG. 4, the timing T11-T18 is thereading period of the second pixel (composed of the photodiode PD2 andthe additional capacitor Cs2). The timing T18-T19 is a period oftransferring the signal of the second pixel in the horizontal direction.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, although the configuration in whichthe two photodiodes PD1 and PD2 are connected with one amplifying unithas been described, the configuration of the present invention is notrestricted to the configuration mentioned above. For example, theconfiguration in which four photodiodes PD1-PD4 share one amplifyingunit may be adopted, as shown in FIG. 10. The number of the photodiodesto be commonly used can be suitably set.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a stillvideo camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.Based on FIG. 5, an example of applying the solid state image pickupdevice of the first embodiment to a still video camera is described indetail. A solid state image pickup device 54 and an image signalprocessing circuit 55 correspond to the solid state image pickup deviceof the first embodiment.

A reference numeral 51 denotes a barrier to be commonly used as aprotector of a lens and a main switch. A reference numeral 52 denotes alens for forming an optical image of a subject on a solid state imagepickup device 54. A reference numeral 53 denotes a diaphragm varyinglight quantity that has passed the lens 52 and a mechanical shutter. Thereference numeral 54 denotes the solid state image pickup device fortaking in the subject formed as an image by the lens 52 as an imagesignal. The reference numeral 55 denotes the image signal processingcircuit performing the analog signal processing of an image pickupsignal (image signal) output from the solid state image pickup device54. A reference numeral 56 denotes an A/D converter performing theanalog-to-digital conversion of an image signal output from the imagesignal processing circuit 55. A reference numeral 57 denotes a signalprocessing unit that performs various corrections of image data outputfrom the A/D converter 56 or compresses data. A reference numeral 58denotes a timing generator outputting various timing signals to thesolid state image pickup device 54, the image signal processing circuit55, the A/D converter 56 and the signal processing unit 57. A referencenumeral 59 denotes a whole control arithmetic operation unit controllingvarious operations and the whole still video camera. A reference numeral60 denotes a memory unit for storing image data temporarily. A referencenumeral 61 denotes an interface unit for performing recording to orreading from a recording medium 62. The reference numeral 62 denotes thedetachably attachable recording medium such as a semiconductor memoryfor performing the recording or the reading of image data. A referencenumeral 63 denotes an interface unit for performing the communicationwith an external computer and the like.

Next, the operation of the still video camera having the configurationmentioned above at the time of photographing is described. When thebarrier 51 is opened, the main power supply is turned on. Subsequently,the power supply of a control system turns on, and furthermore the powersupply of image pickup system circuits such as the A/D converter 56 isturned on. Then, in order to control a light exposure, the whole controlarithmetic operation unit 59 makes the diaphragm (the mechanicalshutter) 53 a full aperture. The signal output from the solid stateimage pickup device 54 is converted by the A/D converter 56 afterpassing the image signal processing circuit 55, and then is input intothe signal processing unit 57. The whole control arithmetic operationunit 59 performs the operation of an exposure based on the data. Thewhole control arithmetic operation unit 59 judges brightness based onthe result of having performed the light measurement, and controls thediaphragm 53 according to the result.

Next, based on the signal output from the solid state image pickupdevice 54, the whole control arithmetic operation unit 59 takes outhigh-frequency components, and calculates the distance to the subject.After that, the whole control arithmetic operation unit 59 drives thelens, and judges whether the lens is in focus or not. When the wholecontrol arithmetic operation unit 59 judges that the lens is not infocus, the whole control arithmetic operation unit 59 again drives thelens to perform distance measurement. Then after the state of being infocus has been ascertained, the main exposure is started. When theexposure has been completed, the image signal output from the solidstate image pickup device 54 receives the A/D conversion by the A/Dconverter 56 after passing the image signal processing circuit 55, andthe converted image signal passes the signal processing unit 57 to bewritten in the memory unit 60 by the whole control arithmetic operationunit 59. After that, the data accumulated in the memory unit 60 passesthe I/F unit controlling recording medium 61, and then the data isrecorded in the detachably attachable recording medium 62 such as asemiconductor memory by the control of the whole control arithmeticoperation unit 59. Moreover, the data may pass the external I/F unit 63to be directly input into a computer or the like, and the processing ofthe image may be performed. The timing generator 58 controls the signalsof the potential of FIG. 4.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a videocamera according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Basedon FIG. 6, an example of the case where the solid state image pickupdevice of the first embodiment is applied to the video camera isdescribed in detail.

A reference numeral 1 denotes a taking lens equipped with a focus lens1A for performing focusing, a zoom lens 1B for performing a zoomoperation, and a lens 1C for forming an image. A reference numeral 2denotes a diaphragm and mechanical shutter. A reference numeral 3denotes a solid state image pickup device performing the photoelectricconversion of a subject image the image of which has been formed on animage pickup surface to convert the subject image into an electric imagepickup signal. A reference numeral 4 denotes a sample hold circuit (S/Hcircuit) that performs the sample holding of the image pickup signaloutput from the solid state image pickup device 3 and further amplifiesa level. The sample hold circuit 4 outputs an image signal.

A reference numeral 5 denotes a process circuit performing predeterminedprocessing, such as gamma correction, color separation, blankingprocessing and the like, to the image signal output from the sample holdcircuit 4. The process circuit 5 outputs a luminance signal Y and achroma signal C. The chroma signal C output from the process circuit 5receives the corrections of white balance and color balance by the colorsignal correction circuit 21, and is output as color difference signalsR-Y and B-Y.

Moreover, the luminance signal Y output from the process circuit 5 andthe color difference signals R-Y and B-Y output from the color signalcorrecting circuit 21 are modulated by an encoder circuit (ENC circuit)24, and are output as a standard television signal. Then, the outputstandard television signal is supplied to a not shown video recorder, oran electronic view finder such as a monitor electronic view finder(EVF).

Subsequently, a reference numeral 6 denotes an iris control circuit, andthe iris control circuit 6 controls an iris drive circuit 7 based on animage signal supplied from the sample hold circuit 4 to perform theautomatic control of an ig meter 8 in order to control the openingquantity of the iris 2 so that the level of an image signal may be aconstant value of a predetermined level.

Reference numerals 13 and 14 denote band pass filters (BPF) each havinga different band limit for extracting high high-frequency componentsnecessary for performing the in-focus detection among the image signalsoutput from the sample hold circuit 4. The signals output from the firstband pass filter 13 (BPF1) and the second band pass filter 14 (BPF2) aregated by each of a gate circuit 15 and a focus gate frame signal, andthe peak values of the signals are detected by a peak detecting circuit16 to be held by the circuit 16 and to be input into a logic controlcircuit 17. The signals of the peak values are called as focus voltages,and the focus is adjusted with the focus voltages.

Moreover, a reference numeral 18 denotes a focus encoder detecting themoving position of the focus lens 1A. A reference numeral 19 denotes azoom encoder detecting the focus distance of the zoom lens 1B. Areference numeral 20 denotes an iris encoder detecting the openingquantity of the iris 2. The detected values of these encoders aresupplied to a logic control circuit 17 performing system control.

The logic control circuit 17 performs the in-focus detection of asubject based on the image signal corresponding in a set in-focusdetection region, and performs focusing. That is, the logic controlcircuit 17 takes in the peak value information of the high-frequencycomponents supplied from each of the band path filters 13 and 14, andcontrol signals, and controls a focus drive circuit 9 by supplyingcontrol signals of rotation directions, rotation speeds, rotations/stopsand the like to the focus drive circuit 9 in order to drive the focuslens 1A to the position where the peak values of the high-frequencycomponents become the maximum.

When zooming is instructed, a zooming drive circuit 11 rotates a zoomingmotor 12. When the zooming motor 12 rotates, the zoom lens 1B moves, andthe zooming is performed.

As described above, according to the first to the third embodiments, thephotodiode PD1 and the additional capacitor Cs1 constitute one pixel,and the photodiode PD2 and the additional capacitor Cs2 constituteanother pixel. Because the source follower transistor SF-MOS, theselection transistor SEL-MOS and the reset transistor RES-MOS can beshared by these two pixels, the number of the elements to be used can bereduced, and the cost can be reduced.

Moreover, because the carriers overflowing the photodiodes PD1 and PD2flow into the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 through the fixedpotential barriers 101 and 102, respectively, the noises of the pixelsignals can be reduced without being influenced by the defects of thefloating diffusions FD.

Moreover, as described above, the overflowing carriers are accumulatedin the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2, and the pixel signals aregenerated based on the accumulated carriers in the photodiodes PD1 andPD2 and the additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2. Thereby, the dynamicranges of the pixel signals can be expanded as compared with the case ofusing only the accumulated carriers of the photodiodes PD1 and PD2.

The additional capacities Cs1 and Cs2 may be formed using electrodes ofpolysilicon or the like, and dielectrics, or may be formed by shieldingthe surface part of a photodiode structure. The additional capacitiesCs1 and Cs2 may be carrier accumulating units as long as the units canaccumulate carriers. However, because a larger capacity can be realizedby using the electrodes and the dielectrics, it is preferable to use theelectrode and the dielectrics.

Incidentally, any of the embodiments described above is only an exampleof concretization at the time of the implementation of the presentinvention, and the scope of the present invention should not beinterpreted to be limited to the embodiments. That is, the presentinvention can be implemented in various forms without departing from thescope and the main features of the invention.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2005-080347 filed on Mar. 18, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A solid state image pickup device comprising aplurality of pixel units, each one of the plurality of pixel unitsincluding: an amplifying unit including an input portion; a firstphotoelectric conversion region; a second photoelectric conversionregion; a first carrier accumulating unit; and a second carrieraccumulating units, wherein the amplifying unit is arranged between aregion in which the first photoelectric conversion region and the firstcarrier accumulating unit are arranged and a region in which the secondphotoelectric conversion region and the second carrier accumulating unitare arranged.
 10. The solid state image pickup device according to claim9, wherein each one of the plurality of pixel units further includes: afirst transfer unit that connects the input portion of the amplifyingunit with the first photoelectric conversion region; a second transferunit that connects the input portion of the amplifying unit with thefirst carrier accumulating unit; a third transfer unit that connects theinput portion of the amplifying unit with the second photoelectricconversion region; and a fourth transfer unit that connects the inputportion of the amplifying unit with the second carrier accumulatingunit.
 11. The solid state image pickup device according to claim 9,wherein each one of the plurality of pixel units further includes: athird photoelectric conversion region; a fourth photoelectric conversionregion; a third carrier accumulating unit; and a third carrieraccumulating unit.
 12. The solid state image pickup device according toclaim 11, wherein each one of the plurality of pixel units furtherincludes: a first transfer unit that connects the input portion of theamplifying unit with the first photoelectric conversion region; a secondtransfer unit that connects the input portion of the amplifying unitwith the first carrier accumulating unit; a third transfer unit thatconnects the input portion of the amplifying unit with the secondphotoelectric conversion region; a fourth transfer unit that connectsthe input portion of the amplifying unit with the second carrieraccumulating unit; a fifth transfer unit that connects the input portionof the amplifying unit with the third photoelectric conversion region; asixth transfer unit that connects the input portion of the amplifyingunit with the third carrier accumulating unit; a seventh transfer unitthat connects the input portion of the amplifying unit with the fourthphotoelectric conversion region; and a eighth transfer unit thatconnects the input portion of the amplifying unit with the fourthcarrier accumulating unit.
 13. The solid state image pickup deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein each one of the plurality of pixel unitsfurther comprises: a first fixed potential barrier arranged at anon-active region between the first photoelectric conversion region andthe first carrier accumulating unit; and a second fixed potentialbarrier arranged at a non-active region between the second photoelectricconversion region and the second carrier accumulating unit.
 14. Thesolid state image pickup device according to claim 13, wherein the firstand second fixed potential barriers have an impurity concentrationdifferent from those of periphery regions thereof.
 15. The solid stateimage pickup device according to claim 9, wherein each one of theplurality of pixel units further includes: a first transfer unit thatconnects an input portion of the amplifying unit with the firstphotoelectric conversion region; a second transfer unit that connectsthe input portion of the amplifying unit with the first carrieraccumulating unit; a third transfer unit that connects the input portionof the amplifying unit with the second photoelectric conversion region;a fourth transfer unit that connects the input portion of the amplifyingunit with the second carrier accumulating unit; a first fixed potentialbarrier arranged at a non-active region between the first photoelectricconversion region and the first carrier accumulating unit; and a secondfixed potential barrier arranged at a non-active region between thesecond photoelectric conversion region and the second carrieraccumulating unit, wherein during a period of accumulating a carrier inthe first photoelectric conversion region, the potential of the firstfixed potential barrier is higher than the potential of the firsttransfer unit, and during a period of accumulating a carrier in thefirst photoelectric conversion region, the potential of the second fixedpotential barrier is higher than the potential of the third transferunit.
 16. The solid state image pickup device according to claim 9,wherein each one of the plurality of pixel units further includes areset unit connected to an input portion of the amplifying unit.
 17. Thesolid state image pickup device according to claim 9, further comprisinga pixel signal generating unit that generates a first pixel signal basedon a carrier accumulated in first photoelectric conversion region andthe first carrier accumulating unit, and that generates a second pixelsignal based on a carrier accumulated in second photoelectric conversionregion and the second carrier accumulating unit.
 18. The solid stateimage pickup device according to claim 9, wherein the first carrieraccumulating unit includes a capacitor formed by a first impuritysemiconductor region and an electrode of a polysilicon material, and thesecond carrier accumulating unit includes a capacitor formed by a secondimpurity semiconductor region and an electrode of a polysiliconmaterial.
 19. The solid state image pickup device according to claim 9,wherein each one of the plurality of pixel units further includes: afirst transfer unit that connects the input portion of the amplifyingunit with the first photoelectric conversion region; a second transferunit that connects the input portion of the amplifying unit with thefirst carrier accumulating unit; a third transfer unit that connects theinput portion of the amplifying unit with the second photoelectricconversion region; and a fourth transfer unit that connects the inputportion of the amplifying unit with the second carrier accumulatingunit, wherein the first carrier accumulating unit includes a capacitorformed by a first semiconductor impurity region and an electrode of apolysilicon material, the second carrier accumulating unit includes acapacitor formed by a second impurity semiconductor region and anelectrode of a polysilicon material, the second transfer unit comprisesa transistor, the fourth transfer unit comprises a transistor, the firstsemiconductor impurity region is a source of the transistor of thesecond transfer unit, and the second semiconductor impurity region is asource of the transistor of the fourth transfer unit.
 20. The solidstate image pickup device according to claim 9, wherein the solid stateimage pickup device is incorporated in a camera that includes: a lensthat focuses an optical image onto the solid state image pickup device;and a diaphragm that varies the light quantity passing through the lens.